COMMENTARY

In Brief: Statutes of Limitation

[In the last issue of In the Vineyard, Fr. Tom Doyle made his case in support of statutes of limitation reform, inclusive of one-year look-back windows. Let us know what is going on in your state. Send to pthorp.ed@votf.org.]

Excerpted from US Today at www.usatoday.com
Since the Catholic abuse scandal exploded in 2002, six states have changed their laws covering sexual abuse statutes of limitations, which sets a legal deadline for someone who was sexually abused as a minor years ago to file suit against an alleged abuser or the Catholic diocese that employed him or her, says Marci Hamilton, professor at the Benjamin Cardozo School of Law…. The new limits, according to Rachel Steamer, fellow in public law at Cardozo:

  • Connecticut — 30 years from the age of majority (18), effective 2002.
  • Illinois — 10 years from date of discovery, effective 2003.
  • Maryland — Seven years from majority (18), effective 2003.
  • Missouri — By age 30, or three years from discovery, effective 2003.
  • Pennsylvania — 12 years from majority (18), effective 2002.
  • Wisconsin — Before age 35, effective 2003.

[California lifted its statute of limitations for a one-year window (2002-03) for any accuser to come forward, and “windows” have been proposed or are under discussion in New York, Ohio, Colorado, and Tennessee.

VOTF affiliates advise as follows: Indiana plans to introduce SOL legislation in the 2007 session; Kentucky has a bill in the House sponsored by over 60 representatives and scheduled to be introduced 1/24/06. Proposed amendments include eliminating the SOL on all crimes of sexual abuse against minors.]

 

 



In the Vineyard
January 26, 2006
Volume 5, Issue 2
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COMMENTARY


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